The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-29

people OF this country, That this might
continue, be earnestly cautioned eyery
member that he keep wstchful
guard over himself when he acts or
speaks as q member OF the G. A. R.,
and not unconsciously further schemes
foreign to the legitimate purposes Of
the organization. Article nine, forbid.
ding the use Of the organization for
partisan purposes, had, so far as he
knew, been strictly obeyed in letter
and spirit.
From Adjutsnt General Gray's re.
port he learned that the total number
OF members borne on the rolls Of the
order at the last national encampmert
was S26,499 The number reported
June 80, 1887, was 372,674 Actual
gain in five quarters, 46,lb7, The in.
crease Of numbers in ninety dsys
ending June 80, 1887, in 70, d sand.
ing, was 1876, In 1880 thsre were
60,634. Ia the lest five quarters there
have been mustered into the Gland
Army 1880. There were reported
June 80, 1887, in good standing, $780,
1855; suspended, 25, go; by delinqusn,
reports, 1882; total at last report
borne upon the rolls, S72, GA, an In.
crease in membership most graft.
tying to al. members. The
amount reported expended in charity
from March, 1856, to March, 1857, in.
elusive, lie S253,934 43. This money
WIS disbursed to IL ,607 comrades, and
5000 others were assisted, giving 90
500 individuals who had received ben.
efi;s during the year.
"As to the matter OF PENSIONS" Ger.
Faircbild said, "it has been the aim Of
the order to have Congress grant relief
to the pressing nseds Of the comrades.
The government has responded In
many instances. Influence has been
brought to bear on State legislation
and state soldiers'and orphans homes,
and lava for the temporary relief OF
INDECENT soldiers and their families
have been passed. For this work
more than any other has the Grand
Amy Of the Republic lived; this,
more Il al all else, has ennobled Its
life; for this purpose the Grand Army
will In the future give its earnest en-.
deavers, and by reason OF its persist.
ent endeavor II will be remembered.
The Grand Army, with the approval
Of the people in genera, have enlisted
In this cause. Men Of all shades of
political belief have been foremost In
these efiorts, and never until this ear
has it entered the mind Of any well
informed MAJ 10 charge that this al
In behalf Of cur needy comrades was
OF political partisan character. The
Grand Army OF the Republic will
never consent that this question Of
pensions shall be clsssed among those
which men COMMONLY call partisan.
1t has been for many years discussed
by poet, department and national en-.
campments. Resolutions and addresses
have been adopted and published;
petitions and appeals have oiten been
sent to Congress; the efforts Of the
newspapers Of the country have been
enlisted, and with ftw exceptions thev
have heretofore been In full accord
with the order. There hes been no
change Of opinion CT method In the
ranks Of the Grand Army members.
rney have been Of one mind In con-
siderinR 1t but simple justice that
the United States should at
least grant pension Of not less
than $l2 per month to all persons
who served three months or more In
the military or naval service OF the
United STATES duiipg the war Of the
rebellion, and who have b, el honor.
ably discharged, and who are now or
may hereafter be, from mental or
physical disability not the result Of
their own vicious habits IL
capacittsted for the performance Of
manual labor. This has been public
ly advocated, and all who cared TO
know have been fully aware Of the
acton, and yet until recently there
has been heard no oil lection 10 such
measures. Because others have
changed their minds the Grand Army
need not therefore change theirs. The
path In this direction has been straight.
The order has diverged neither TO the
right nor left. BEGAN the comrades
esd help the Grand Army will draw
closer and closer 10 them. They 81 all
not DO the inmates OF the 60 nmon
pauper house, nor shall their widows
and orphans, II the Grand Army can
prevent II. What is asked nov In
the way Of general pensions has been
ssked for Yeas. Il 10 not demanding
too muth. Many MEMBER are OF the
honest opinion that IL Is rot enough,
iav0rinR a broader meetu,e q relief,
which will embrace all who served q
certain length OF time and can show an
honorable discharge, commonly called
tho service pepsion bill " Gen, Fair.
child sfid he vas net there g. argue
sgaiDtt II 90 an ultimate meauTe. lie
wished 10 do nothing 10 postpone the
comlTg Of the luug coming day Of 10.
lief TO the suffering.
The position taken by the commar d.
erin chief on the pension question
was received with great favor and
warm approval, AID the kind but firm
conclusion OF his address and his al.
fusion TO the South mot hefrty 70.
sponte and wss greeted with cheers.